Mechanism to provide a one button battery operated clock radio timer



Sept. 3, 1968 T. F. RING MECHANISM TO PROVIDE A om; BUTTON BATTERYOPERATED CLOCK RADIO TIMER Filed Sept. 21, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 gm-M mSept. 3, 1968 T. F. RING 3,400,233

MECHANISM TO PROVIDE A ONE BUTTON BATTERY OPERATED CLOCK RADIO TIMERFiled Sept. 21, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 M/VE/VTOE.

7201113: F 5 kg,

Sept. 3, 1968 T. F. RING 3,400,233

MECHANISM TO PROVIDE A ONE BUTTON BATTERY OPERATED CLOCK RADIO TIMERFiled Sept. 21, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet I5 14 z! i M 51 710mm A Fay,

Sept. 3, 1968 T. F. RING 3,400,233

MECHANISM To PROVIDE A ONE BUTTON BATTERY OPERATED CLOCK RADIO TIMERFiled Sept. 21, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 M/VE/VTOF.

United States Patent MECHANISM TO PROVIDE A ONE BUTTON BATTERY OPERATEDCLOCK RADIO TIMER Thomas F. Ring, Bowling Green, Ky., assiguor toGeneral Time Corporation, Stamford, Conn., a corporation of ConnecticutFiled Sept. 21, 1966, Ser. No. 580,953 3 Claims. (Cl. 200-38) Thepresent invention relates generally to switch controlling timers and,more particularly, to an improved three-position switch controllingtimer of the type used on clock radios.

Timers which display the time as does a conventional clock and whichalso operate a switch have come into widespread use for giving a form ofautomatic control over a variety of electrically operated devices. Oneof the best known of such devices is perhaps the clock radio. Suchtimers, in addition to a clock face with hour, minute and second hands,include a control shaft having on, off and auto positions. In the on andoff positions, the timer switch is so operated. In the auto position,the switch is conditioned for operation at a preselected time, asindicated by the clock hand.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improvedthree-position switch controlling timer having a small number of partsassembled in a compact arrangement. A related object is to provide suchan im proved switch controlling timer which can be economicallymanufactured with a high degree of uniformity at high production rates.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved switchcontrolling timer of the type described above which requires low switchsetting torque and provides good detenting action.

A further object of the invention is to provide such an improved switchcontrolling timer which has a long operating life with a high level ofreliability.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be-' come apparentupon reading the following detailed description and upon reference tothe drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevation of the face of a switch controlling timerembodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective showing the switch controllingmechanism associated with the timing mechanism in the timer shown inFIGURE 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan of a portion of the mechanism shown in FIGURE 2 inits off position, and with portions broken away;

FIGURE 3a is a vertical section along line 3a-3a in FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a top plan of the mechanism shown in FIG. 3 in the onposition;

FIG. 4a is a vertical section along line 4a4a in FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 is a top plan of the mechanism shown in FIG. 3 in the autoposition;

FIG. 5a is a vertical section along line 5a5a in FIG- URE 5.

While the invention will be described in connection with a preferredembodiment, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit theinvention to that particular embodiment. On the contrary, it is intendedto cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may beincluded within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

Turning now to the drawings, and referring first to FIGURES 1 and 2,there is shown a switch controlling timer embodying the invention andhaving a timing train including an hour wheel 11 mounted on a sleeve andshaft assembly 12 carrying an hour hand 12a. The timing 3,400,233Patented Sept. 3,, 1968 mechanism also includes a minute hand 13, andboth the hour hand and the minute hand are typically driven by asynchronous motor through conventional timing train gearing not shown.

For the purpose of actuating the switch being controlled by the timer, apair of normally open switch contacts 14a, 1411 are positioned forcooperation with a shiftable operator 16 mounted on a frame post 16 forpivoting and rocking movement. The switch contacts depend from one armof an insulating yoke 17, which also has a rib 18 on the inner sidethereof to support the outboard portion of the operator 15 the samedistance away from the frame plate 19 as the inboard portion supportedby the post 16. The mounting post 16 is secured to a front frame plate19, which in turn is connected to a rear frame plate 20 by means of aplurality of interconnecting posts 21. Thus, the two frame plates 19 and20 define the space within which the mechanism of the switch controllingtimer must be assembled, and for certain application, especially inbattery operated devices, this space must be extremely small.

The three positions of the illustrative switch controlling timemechanism are marked on the clock face shown in FIGURE 1 as on, off andauto at angular spaced positions around a control knob 22. The controlknob 22 is keyed to a shaft 23 connected to a camming mechanism forcontrolling the operating mode of the device in response to the manualsetting of the knob 22 at one of the three alternate positions.

In the off position illustrated in FIGURES 2, 3 and 3a, the operator 15is held in its retracted position so that a switch actuating finger 24,formed as an integral part of the operator, is spaced away from thenormally open switch contacts 14a, 14b in the counterclockwisedirection, as viewed from the rear side of the device in 'FIG. 2. Theoperator 15 is held in this retracted position by means of theaforementioned camming mechanism which restrains the operator againstthe continuous clockwise biasing action of a coil spring 25. To providethe desired biasing action, the biasing spring 25 is fitted over therear end of the shaft 23 with the fixed end of the spring being anchoredto the rear frame plate 20 as at 26, and the movable end of the springengaging the operator 15 in an aperture 27 to continuously urge theoperator 15 in the clockwise direction. The movable end of the biasingspring 25 is also provided with a dogleg bend 28 so as to engage therear surface of the operator 15 adjacent the aperture 27 and bias theoperator toward the front frame plate 19.

When the knob 22 is set to the on position, illustrated in FIGURES 4 and4a, the camming mechanism releases the operator 15 to permit the biasingspring 25 to pivot the operator in the clockwise direction, therebyadvancing the switch actuating finger 24 into engagement with the switchcontact 14b. The advancing movement of this finger 24 bends the flexiblecontact 14b into engagement with a transverse bend formed on the othercontact member 14a, thereby closing the switch being controlled by thetimer. When the operator 15 is made of a conductive metal, it will beappreciated that insulation may be provided on the actuating finger 24to insulate the timer mechanism from the electrical circuit, ifrequired.

When the control knob 22 is set to the auto position, the cammingmechanism operated by the shaft 23 is disassociated from the operator 15to permit the advancing movement of the operator to be controlled by thetiming mechanism, as described in more detail below. The timingmechanism closes the switch contacts automatically at a preselectedtime, after which the contacts may be opened by manually returning theknob 22 to the off position.

In accordance with the present invention, the camming mechanism. forcontrolling the switch operator in the different modes of operationcomprises a unitary control cam rotatably mounted in the space betweenthe frame member and the switch operator for cooperation with a cut-outin the central portion of the switch operator. More particularly, theunitary control cam and the cut-out portion of the operator form a firstpair of cooperating cam surfaces for holding the operator in the offmode in one position of the control cam, and a second pair ofcooperating cam surfaces for releasing the operator for advancement tothe on mode in a second position of the control cam. Thus, as shown inFIGURE 2, a unitary control cam 30 is mounted on the shaft 23 forrotational movement in the space between the operator 15 and front frameplate 19. This unitary cam member 30 cooperates with a cut-out 31 in thecentral portion of the operator 15 to provide three alternate positionscorresponding to the on, off and auto operating modes of the switchcontrolling timer.

In the .off position, the control cam 30 is turned so that an integralabutment 32 formed thereon engages the outboard edge 33 of the cut-out31 and cams the operator 15 in a counterclockwise direction, viewed fromthe rear of the device, to its retracted position. With the cam in thisposition, the operator 15 cannot be advanced even if it is tilted alongits path of rocking movement, as will 'be apparent from the ensuingdescription.

In order to switch the mechanism to the on mode, the control cam isturned in a counterclockwise direction to the on position illustrated inFIGURES 4 and 4a. This advances the abutment 32 into a recessed portion33a of the outboard edge of the operator cut-out to permit advancingmovement of the operator, and at the same time tilts the operator 15rearwardly about its pivot point (post 16) by means of a camming ramp 34engaging the inboard edge 35 of the operator cut-out. This rearwardtilting movement of the operator 15 raises the inboard portion of theoperator sufficiently to clear the top of a latch stud 36 anchored tothe front frame plate 19. As soon as the leading edge 37 of the operatorclears the top of the latch stud 36, the biasing action of the spring 25advances the operator in the clockwise direction so that the switchactuating finger 24 closes the switch contacts 14a, 14b, therebyactuating the switch. The advancing movement of the operator 15 islimited by an integral stop finger 38 engaging one of the frame posts21, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 4a.

When the control knob 22 is turned to the auto position the control cam30 is rotated to the position shown in FIGURES and 5a, where both thea'butment 32 and the ramp 34 are clear of the edges of the operatorcut-out 31. More particularly, the cam is rotated in thecounterclockwise direction so as to rotate the abutment 32 into a siderecess 39 clear of the outboard edge 33 of the operator cut-out, whilethe inboard edge of the cut-out, which rides back down the camming ramp34 when the cam is turned from the on to the off position, remains on aplateau at the lower end of the ramp.

In this auto position, the advancing movement of the operator 15 iscontrolled by camming surfaces associated with the timing mechanism,rather than 'by the manually controlled cam 30, so as to automaticallyoperate the controlled switch at a preselected time. More particularly,the hour wheel 11 included in the timing train is formed with camabutments 41 which cooperate with abutments 42 formed on a positionablealarm gear 43. The alarm gear 43 is mounted on a sleeve 44 which alsocarries an alarm indicator hand 45. In the illustrated clock, a settingknob 45a is mounted for rotational and axial movement in the clock frameand is arranged to be rotationally coupled via a pinion 45b with eitherthe hour gear 11 or the alarm gear 43. By utilizing the knob 45a torotate the hour gear 11, the angular position of the cams 41 and thesetting of the hour and minute hands 12a, 13 are adjusted. By utilizingthe knob 45a to rotate the alarm gear 43, the angular position of thecams 42 and the setting of the indicator hand 45 are adjusted.

At the preselected time determined by the setting of the knob 45a, thea-butments 41, 42 come together so as to cam the hour wheel 11 axiallyaway from the alarm gear 43, the hour hand sleeve sliding within thealarm gear sleeve 44, with the result that the hour wheel 11 engages afinger 46 on the operator so as to tilt the operator 15 away from thefront frame plate 19 to clear the latch stud 36. From this point on, theoperation of the switch operator is the same as described above for theon mode. That is, with the manual control cam 30 in the auto position ofFIGURE 5, axial shifting movement of the hour wheel 11 at the presetalarm time causes the leading edge 37 of the operator to clear the latchstud 36, whereupon the biasing spring shifts the operator 15 to thebroken line (advanced) position shown in FIGURE 5 to thereby colse theswitch contacts 14a, 14b.

In accordance with a further aspect of this invention, the same unitarycontrol cam which is used to manually set the switch controllingmechanism in the on, off or auto position, also includes detent notcheswhich cooperate with a spring detent element to provide click stops atthe three alternate positions. Thus, the periphery of the forwardportion of the control cam 30, adjacent the front frame plate 19, isdesigned to form three successive notches 47a, 47b and 470 whichcooperate with a spring detent element 48 to establish three click stopscorresponding to the three positions of the control c'am illustrated inFIGURES 3, 4 and 5. The spring detent element 48 is secured at one endto the post for the latch stud 36, while the other end is biased againstthe base of the yoke 17. The central portion of the spring 48 is bent toform a projection 48a designed to snap into alternate ones of the detentnotches 47a, 47b, 470 as the cam 30 is turned to its three alternatepositions. This gives the operator the feel of switching the control camfrom one position to another.

It will be appreciated that the unitary control cam 30 not only permitsan extremely compact construction for the switch controlling timer sothat it can be assembled between small and closely spaced frame plates,but also permits economical manufacture and assembly of the cammingarrangement. Thus, in one commercial embodiment of this invention, thecontrol cam is made of nylon in a single molding operation. Theassembling operation involves nothing more than slipping the unitary camdown over the control shaft 23 until it rests on the front frame plate19. Moreover, the unitary control cam provides good detenting action,and it cooperates with the cut-out operator 15 to provide low switchsetting torque, thereby satisfying the two most diificult designrequirements for timers of this type. With this construction, the centerof the selector shaft can be located ideally relative to the pivot pointof the switch operator, and the pressure angles of the various cammingsurfaces may be made very low to achieve low switch shaft torque.Furthermore, the cut-out operator 15 is also a one-piece part in whichall of functional dimensions can be pierced or blanked in one stage oftooling. Consequently, the dimensions can be repeated with a high degreeof accuracy even for large production quantities.

I claim as my invention:

1. A switch controlling timer comprising the combination of a framemember, a pair of switch contacts anchored relative to said framemember, a switch operator spaced away from said frame member and mountedfor movement along a first path to open and close said contacts andalong a second path toward and away from said frame member, biasingmeans for urging said operator both toward said frame member and towardone end of said first path, means for latching said operator when thelatter is urged toward the frame member at the other end of said firstpath, clock controlled means for shifting said operator away from saidframe member at a pre selected time so as to unlatch the operator, and aunitary control member mounted for angular movement in the space betweensaid frame member and said operator to provide three alternatepositions, said operator having a cut-out for receiving said controlmember with the cutout forming cam surfaces cooperating with saidcontrol member, said cam surfaces formed by said cut-out cooperatingwith said control member in one position of the latter to hold theoperator in said other end of said first path, said cam surfaces formedby said cut-out cooperating with said control member in a secondposition of the latter to shift the operator away from said frame memberso as to un'latch the operator.

2. A switch controlling timer as defined in claim 1 which includes aspring detent member anchored relative to said frame member and in whichsaid unitary control member includes detent notches cooperating withsaid spring detent member to provide click stops at said three alternatepositions of said control member.

3. A switch controlling timer comprising the combination of a pair offrame members held in spaced apart relationship, a pair of switchcontacts in the space between said frame members and anchored relativethereto, a unitary switch operator mounted between said frame membersand spaced away from both frame members, said operator being pivoted forangular movement between advanced and retracted positions to open andclose said contacts and for tilting movement toward and away from saidframe members, said operator including a cutout defining cam surfacesfor controlling the movement of said operator, biasing means for urgingsaid operator toward one of said frame members and toward said advancedposition, latching means for restraining the operator against the urgingof said biasing means, clock controlled means for tilting the operatoraway from said latching means so that the operator is pivoted to theadvanced position by said biasing means, and a unitary control cammounted between the operator and one of the frame members for angularmovement relative to both the operator and the frame members, a portionof said control cam extending into the cut-out in said operator forcooperation with the cam surfaces defined by said cut-out to providethree alternative positions: (1) a first position where the operator isheld in the retracted position against the urging of said biasing meansindependently of said latching means, (2) a second position where theoperator is tilted away from said latching means so that the operator ispivoted to the advanced position by said biasing means, (3) and a thirdposition where the operator is controlled by said clock controlled meansindependently of said control cam.

No references cited.

BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner.

FRED E. BELL, Assistant Examiner.

1. A SWITCH CONTROLLING TIMER COMPRISING THE COMBINATION OF A FRAMEMEMBER, A PAIR OF SWITCH CONTACTS ANCHORED RELATIVE TO SAID FRAMEMEMBER, A SWITCH OPERATOR SPACED AWAY FROM SAID FRAME MEMBER AND MOUNTEDFOR MOVEMENT ALONG A FIRST PATH TO OPEN AND CLOSE SAID CONTACTS ANDALONG A SECOND PATH TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID FRAME MEMBER, BIASINGMEANS FOR URGING SAID OPERATOR BOTH TOWARD SAID FRAME MEMBER AND TOWARDONE END OF SAID FIRST PATH, MEANS FOR LATCHING SAID OPERATOR WHEN THELATTER IS URGED TOWARD THE FRAME MEMBER AT THE OTHER END OF SAID FIRSTPATH, CLOCK CONTROLLED MEANS FOR SHIFTING SAID OPERATOR AWAY FROM SAIDFRAME MEMBER AT A PRESELECTED TIME SO AS TO UNLATCH THE OPERATOR, AND AUNITARY CONTROL MEMBER MOUNTED FOR ANGULAR MOVEMENT IN THE SPACE BETWEENSAID FRAME MEMBER AND SAID OPERATOR TO PROVIDE THREE ALTERNATEPOSITIONS, SAID OPERATOR HAVING A CUT-OUT FOR RECEIVING SAID CONTROLMEMBER WITH THE CUTOUT FORMING CAM SURFACES COOPERATING WITH SAIDCONTROL